House Armed Services Committee Chairman Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) is trying to energize action on the 2006 defense authorization bill by getting staffers in next week to settle lingering policy difference between the House and Senate versions. A panel spokesman told Congress Daily the “condensed time frame” requires “outside the box” thinking. If Hunter’s iniative works, the House could vote on the measure the first week in December, followed by the Senate after its recess. Per the Daily, the spokesman says the many amendments tied to this bill still would receive due deliberation.
As Hurricane Melissa hammers the Caribbean, the U.S. Air Force’s “Hurricane Hunters” are busy flying into the massive Category 4 storm to collect atmospheric data—with one experiencing greater than expected turbulence Oct. 28.
